THE 10 MOST POPULAR SONORA TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The traditions and customs of Sonora remain important in this region largely thanks to the natives who strive to keep the legacy of their ancestors and the local tribes.

For example, the Guarijios celebrate two great festivities each year. The Papago ethnic group makes palm baskets throughout the Sonoran desert and celebrates the "Ritual de la Vikita." The Venado Dance created by the Yaqui tribe is one of the most representative dances of the State and a great pride for its inhabitants.

The state of Sonora 10 divided into 72 municipalities; its capital city is Hermosillo and shares part of its border with the United States. Its natural geography is mainly composed of arid and semi-arid deserts, in addition to grasslands.

Sonora is home to eight indigenous groups. Thanks to its status as a border state, it has been of great economic importance. It should be noted that its agriculture and livestock are also of great importance to Mexico.

You may be interested The 20 Most Important Traditions and Customs of Mexico.

List of customs and traditions of the state of Sonora in Mexico

1- Dance of the deer

It is a native dance of the Yaqui tribe in the state of Sonora. The dancers recreate a dramatic deer house in honor of the natural world and the white-tailed deer, which provide for most of the Yaquis' needs.

This dance is one of the most popular in Mexico today. The Yaqui Indians fought valiantly to preserve their lands and cultures during the Spanish conquest, a great example of this being the Dance of the Deer, which has not had a European influence and has changed very little over the centuries.

The whole atmosphere of the deer dance is created with traditional instruments and songs to accompany the dancers.

The dancer who imitates the deer (has a head of the animal on top of his head) tries to recreate the movements of the wild white-tailed mammal. The other dancers represent the hunters who eventually hunt the deer to provide sustenance.

This native Mexican dance is highly respected for its innate ritual, primitive and spiritual qualities.

2- Sonoran Capirotada

It is a traditional dish similar to a bread pudding that is generally eaten during the Lenten period. Specifically, in Sinaloa people usually eat on Ash Wednesday and Friday of Lent.

Generally its preparation consists of loaves of bread soaked in a syrup made with spices, interspersed with dried fruits such as almonds, peanuts or walnuts, as well as raisins.

3- Sonoran Champurrado

This drink is traditionally drunk in Sonora in cold times. It is a thick atole that contains cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, milk and cloves. The typical version of Sonora is made with wheat flour.

4- Dance of Pascola

This dance practiced by the Mayan-Yoreme and Yankee-Yoreme tribes, represents the creation of nature to which the ancient indigenous people worshiped.

It has European influences, marked mainly by the use and accompaniment of violins and harps. The other musical accompaniment of the dance is made up of drums and flutes, classic instruments of American cultures.

5- Dance of Matachines

This dance is performed during the Lenten season. It is related to the former Jesuit missionaries and their influence on the indigenous populations of the region, especially the Yoremes.

During Lent it is common to see the machatines circulating through the streets of Culiacán. Has a specific outfit; Masks representing animals are placed, they have bells that sound when walking while they play the flute.

Currently, they travel thousands of kilometers while dancing and also ask for money on the streets as a collaboration.

6- Dance of the coyotes

This emblematic dance is practiced exclusively in the ceremonial center of San Miguel de Zapotitlán. This celebration involves a musician who plays the drum and the lyrics of the dance have to do with the life of a coyote.

The main accessory of the dancers who participate in this dance is a coyote skin that covers their back, starting from their head. This skin can have a showy set of turkey, eagle or buzzard feathers.

7- Coyotas

This dessert is traditional from the capital of Sonora, Hermosillo. Coyotas are large, flat sugar cookies traditionally filled with brown sugar. Although it is believed that they date from the late nineteenth century, the current version of this cookie comes from 1954 when it was prepared in Villa de Seris.

The history of the recipe currently used is a legend of the town of Hermosillo. Coyota means daughter of Indian and Spanish.

8- Sonora International Guitar Festival

For more than 10 years, this festival has played host to the best guitarists from both Mexico and the world.

During the festival, you can attend lectures given by the best guitar teachers and experts in the world, you can also watch performances by talented guitarists.

Additionally, guitar lessons can be taken at all skill levels and various photographic exhibits can be enjoyed.

9- Crafts of Sonora

The seven indigenous groups of Sonora make the typical crafts of this region. The artisans collect seashells and these materials are transformed into bracelets and necklaces. Other materials used by artisans include snake skeletons, seeds, and stones.

Additionally, the craftsmen who work hardwoods such as 'ironwood' create sculptures and stems of great rustic and natural simplicity.

The Yaquis and Seris tribes are inspired by their environments to create ironwood objects; as a result a large number of the objects they produce are representations of animals.

Lacquered products made of wood, bone or clay are an important part of the traditional crafts of Sonora. Some are used in daily use, while others are used for rituals.

10- ExpoGan

This fair held in Hermosillo is characterized by offering a great variety of customs typical of Sonora. Its attractions include live music, dances, dishes and drinks typical of the region, and mechanical games.

This fair lasts for several weeks each year.

You may be interested in 9 Customs and Traditions of Chihuahua (Mexico).

References

1. ExpoGan Hermosillo (2017). Recovered from whatsupcarlos.com.
2. Traditions and customs (2010). Recovered from oursonora.blogspot.com.
3. The Yaqui deer dance. Recovered from aztecfiredance.com.
4. Dance of Pascola. Recovered from galeon.com.
5. Coyota. Recovered from wikipedia.org.
6. Handcrafts of Sonora. Recovered from asiesmimexico.mx.
7. Capirotada. Recovered from wikipedia.org.
8. The dance of the matachines (2016). Recovered from vivavoz.com.mx.
9. Culture of Sonora. Recovered from explorandomexico.com.
10. International guitar festival of Sonora. Recovered from asiesmimexico.mx.
11. Sonora. Recovered from wikipedia.org.

Champurrado Sonorense. Recovered from obson.wordpress.com.